 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| 01-19-2010, 07:16 AM | #45 | |
|
Automotive Industry Insider
462
Rep 1,948
Posts |
Quote:
In fact, no aftermarket suspension kit can ever be ED-compatible due to a common misconception that is being made in regards to how EDC-equipped cars are designed and built by BMW. That leads to the false belief that you can somehow find and install a complete aftermarket supension setup while still retianing the factory EDC functionality. That's not gonna happen... In talks that I have had with a number of engineers at a variety of aftermarket suspension providers (including Billstein), it's technically impossible to build an "EDC-compatible" suspension kit for the E9x M3. For those of you who don't quite understand what I'm saying here... No aftermarket suspension kit will allow you use the factory electronic damping control circuit (EDC) to make suspension adjustments via the EDC ride comfort controls inside the car. You can retain the EDC functionality if you only change out just the springs...but NOT if you change out the shocks & struts. Why?  Because the EDC control module is tied (married) to the compression & rebound characteristics of the stock OE Sachs EDC shock absorbers and struts. In fact, the entire EDC system is calibrated to the unique characteristics of those front and rear dampers, and ONLY those dampers. The OE EDC shocks & struts have the ability to communicate with the EDC-control module inside the car. (via sensors through a proprietary CAN-BUS interface protocol) The shock valving of the factory installed EDC shocks can be manipulated (in a limited fashion) to adjust the ride stiffness of the M3's suspension with the buttons mounted on the center console. This is why you only have three possible EDC suspension comfort settings. (instead of 10-20 different compression & rebound comfort settings with a variety of other aftermarket setups) Lowering springs will change the compression rate of the OE EDC shocks and struts, but the system can compensate for the stiffer aftermarket springs. (to a point) Those aftermarket lowering springs must be manufactured to use the factory EDC hats, or they will also be incompatible. the aftermarket option must be a 'racing' style performance spring set) Springs are an option for you, but shock & strut replacement are not an option with EDC. The EDC system is not designed to work without the SACHS EDC shocks installed on the car. There is simply no aftermarket solution to this problem. The only way aftermarket shocks & struts could be compatible...is if one of the aftermarket suspension providers built a 'clone' of the factory installed SACHS OE shocks & struts. (that is unfortunately patent-protected) And what would be the point in doing that anyway? The EDC suspension is a pretty sophisticated piece of engineering, and it would be very difficult to make changes to it without losing the core functionality of the system. Bottom line: If you ever change out the factory shocks & struts...you lose EDC functionality. Period. (no exceptions) 
__________________
The best is yet to come...
 |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-19-2010, 03:30 PM | #46 | |
|
Lieutenant
 
17
Rep 568
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you."
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-19-2010, 03:41 PM | #47 | |
|
Brigadier General
 169
Rep 3,831
Posts |
Quote:
Macht Schnell and KW make them.
__________________
 |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-19-2010, 04:50 PM | #48 | |
|
Automotive Industry Insider
462
Rep 1,948
Posts |
Quote:
Those aftermarket code emulators mearly shutdown the entire EDC system. (which allows you to run an aftermarket suspension) The only purpose for having these code emulators, is to prevent the EDC MIL malfunction warning from popping up. You lose the EDC functionality, when you go with any suspension kit that includes aftermarket shocks & struts.
__________________
The best is yet to come...
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-19-2010, 05:17 PM | #49 | |
|
Critical Care Anesthesiologist
481
Rep 8,828
Posts
Drives: SMB F83
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
|
Quote:
__________________
kev { divinum est sedate dolorem }
"your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist" |
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 01-19-2010, 05:37 PM | #50 | |
|
Lieutenant
17
Rep 568
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you."
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 05:37 PM | #51 | |
|
Captain
37
Rep 977
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 06:33 PM | #52 | |
|
Major
121
Rep 1,198
Posts |
Quote:
If this really works as explained by Jay at GC, this could be the right setup for those who don't want to give up their EDC capability. I'll keep everyone posted. BC
__________________
'15 M3, '16 911 Turbo S Cab
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 06:44 PM | #53 | |
|
Colonel
 
191
Rep 2,867
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 06:58 PM | #54 | |
|
Major
121
Rep 1,198
Posts |
Quote:
Since the car will be lowered by approx. 1", shorter sway bar links to prevent/reduce preload on the front swaybar (I believe this is correct but did not confirm with Jay). So in the end, I hope to achieve: - consistency over the range of compression of the spring since it won't be progressive like the OEM setup - tune the handling by changing springs if needed - be able to set the ride height where I want it (though I've heard from several sources that anything >1" of lowering is not optimal) - corner balance the car - get whatever camber in the front as may be needed - though not as much of an issue on this car as the E46M3. - keep EDC functionality. Thx, BC
__________________
'15 M3, '16 911 Turbo S Cab
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 07:34 PM | #55 |
|
Colonel
191
Rep 2,867
Posts |
How can u raise and lower it when in reality all ur doing is putting springs? Im very interested which is y im asking all these questions. Wanna get away from my h&r's. If this is promising enough might give it a shot.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 08:00 PM | #60 | |
|
Brigadier General
169
Rep 3,831
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 08:03 PM | #62 | |
|
Brigadier General
169
Rep 3,831
Posts |
Quote:
Good luck with the new set up. Did Jay say anything about GC coming out with a coilover suspension for the E9X M3?
__________________
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 08:06 PM | #63 | |
|
Captain
80
Rep 961
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-08-2010, 09:47 PM | #64 | |
|
Major
121
Rep 1,198
Posts |
Quote:
I don't think they are coming out with anything specific. He had some nice things to say about the EDC struts and did not try to sell me a substitute. In my opinion, I think he'd say the EDC struts are good enough for the majority of the potential customers of an aftermarket suspension thus the recommendation to go with a coilover conversion kit. BC
__________________
'15 M3, '16 911 Turbo S Cab
|
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
| 02-11-2010, 03:57 AM | #66 |
|
Lieutenant
17
Rep 568
Posts |
I called RD Sport in Irvine two weeks ago, they said that they had the fronts in stock but the rears would take about a week to get.
Pricing wasn't as expensive as I imagined it to be. The person I talked to was really nice, and they gave a great deal on them.
__________________
Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you."
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
